The Granada chansonier brings his tribute to Edith Piaf to the Isabel Theater.
The versatile Granada musician José Luis Gualda, ‘Jolís’, is one of the great promoters of French music of the last century, performing in Paris with that repertoire, and coming away applauded from the task, which is no small feat among the inventors of the term “chauvinist”. To make matters worse, he did the same in Buenos Aires with tango, but this is another story. Celebrating the anniversary of Edith Piaf’s death, he presents a show that compiles a good part of the repertoire of the ‘chanteuse’ and her contemporaries (Aznavour, Jacques Brel, George Moustaki, etc.). It will be at the Isabel theater on Saturday the 24th (8:30 p.m.).
─ You have done Rock, Pop, Tango, Chanson, Italian song… As they say now: what is your ‘best version’?
─ Generally the “genres” that I practice I believe, and it is the public that must say which one I interpret best..
─ With Miguel Ríos and El Patriarca (‘Agustín’ Rodríguez), he is almost the only active survivor of Granada music from the early sixties…
─ Indeed, I believe so, we are moved by the vocation and love of music, it is a divine profession, full of difficulties but also satisfactions.
─ Celebrate sixty years without Piaf in these concerts…
─ It is always a good time to remember her, 10 years ago we also paid tribute to her, now the show has been renewed, including songs by her contemporaries.
─ How valid is the ‘old’ Chanson, calm, intense and black and white in these times of speed, disjointed mouths and reggaeton?
─ I think it remains completely valid, there is always a space for music that inspires feelings, lyricism, emotions, that is always current.
─ Singing for the dead is playing with an advantage, they will never complain!
─ (Laughs) Don’t be naughty, even if they don’t complain directly, the public, the heirs, the ‘criticism’ in the press can complain, you know… And the truth is, so far no one has complained (laughs) .
─ When will the iconic Birkin or Hardy, or more recent voices like Dominique A, Biolay, Lavilliers…?
─ I don’t know… I don’t rule it out, but at the moment I don’t see it, although I admire and respect them a lot.
─ In any case, is it true that French is the language of love or lack of love?
─ Possibly yes, but above all because of the intimate atmosphere that that language creates… Italian is also very musical, although I think that any language that is used to transmit feelings, if it is expressed with lyricism and delivery, can be good to express love. The Frenchman has also at times expressed heartbreak, disappointment, and despair very well. All you have to do is review the work of Brel, Leo Ferré, Aznavour, and others…
─ Their concerts are usually collective celebrations. With whom this time?
I like to share the stage with friends and colleagues in this blessed profession that is music.
─ Well… In Granada yes, on tours it is impossible. I like to share the stage with friends and colleagues in this blessed profession that is music. On this occasion, the following participate: Fanny del Castillo, Ana Inés (comes from Buenos Aires), Javier Marín, Ginés López, José Luis Mundi, and the banduristas of the Torre del Alfiler Plectro Orchestra, Mateo Rodríguez and Carlos Nogueras. And of course my usual band directed by Nicolás Medina, with Rafael del Castillo, Marcelo Huertas, Walter Sabolo, who are wonderful!
2024-02-22 08:06:46
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